Erectable sealable enfoldment

ABSTRACT

A collapsible, holding container partially interconnected for interior access. The holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions. The rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material. The collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/296,633 filed on Jan. 5, 2022, which isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to applications pertaining to acontainment, holding, carrying and enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Given the broad scope of applications pertaining to containment,holding, carrying and enclosure, the present inventions' relevance willonly be exemplified in the field of home food storage for brevity.

Conventional containers provide users with many ordinary conveniencesincluding durability and upright orientation for easy content fillingand retrieval making conventional containers ideal for content storageand transport. However, some users may experience a space-savinginconvenience when setting conventional containers aside.

Conventional closeable bags provide users with several conveniences suchas a topless and compact alternative to conventional containers.However, conventional closeable bags don't offer durability and aren'teasily stackable.

Foldable or collapsible containers are useful in transporting and/orstoring a variety of items or goods. In particular, such containers canbe used to transport various parts. Foldable containers take up lessvolume in a collapsed state. Accordingly, such containers can be moreefficiently transported when empty. However, because the containers arecollapsible, it is important that they are structurally sound duringtransportation, both in the unfolded, load carrying configuration, aswell as in the collapsed or folded configuration.

In order to be foldable, the containers are formed to have a number ofmoving parts, such as side walls and end walls that collapse inwardly.

A number of considerations are involved in designing and creating suchfoldable containers. These include cost of construction, number ofparts, time and manpower required to assemble, time and manpower to fixor replace parts, cost of materials, strength, stability, etc.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed and toprovide advantages and aspects not provided by prior folding containersof this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of thepresent invention is deferred to the following detailed description,which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a collapsible, holding containerpartially interconnected for interior access. The holding containerhaving at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructedof a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions. Therigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than theflexible material. The collapsible, holding container being partiallyinterconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by afastener.

Further according to the present invention, a collapsible, holdingcontainer is partially interconnected for interior access. The holdingcontainer having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surfaceconstructed of a flexible material 16 and ribbed with rigid linearextensions. The rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffermaterial than the flexible material. The collapsible, holding containerbeing partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least twofaces by a fastener. The collapsible, holding container is partiallyinterconnected by a zipped for interior access to the holding container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention willbecome further apparent upon consideration of the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (Figures). Thefigures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustratednot-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may bein the form of slices, or near-sighted cross-sectional views, omittingcertain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a truecross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

Often, similar elements may be referred to by similar numbers in variousfigures (Figures) of the drawing, in which case typically the last twosignificant digits may be the same, the most significant digit being thenumber of the drawing figure (Figure).

For the purpose of illustration, there are depicted in the drawingscertain non-limiting embodiments of the invention. However, theinvention is non-limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities of the embodiments depicted in the drawings. Referencenumbers are used consistently among the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an upright durableholding container partially zipped for interior access, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the upright durableholding container shown in FIG. 1 unfolded and highlighting theembodiment's ribbed features and flexibility, according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top view of embodiment of FIG. 1 fullyextended and highlighting the embodiment's surface joining, according tothe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 fullyextended and separated to highlight key design dimensions, according tothe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 highlighting thezipper's path and the corresponding enclosed cuboidal form when theupright durable holding container is fully zipped, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended andhighlighting a first perpendicular configuration, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended andhighlighting a second perpendicular configuration, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6C is a diagram showing another embodiment where the tworectangular configurations are parallel to each other, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extendedhighlighting the zipper's path and the corresponding enclosed cuboidalform, according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extendedhighlighting the zipper path phases and continuous edge of the enclosedcuboidal form, according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing perspective view of the preferred embodimentfully zipped to form an enclosure highlighting embodiment faces and keyfeatures, according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of alternate embodiment highlighting the alternateembodiment faces as a single entity, according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an alternate embodiment highlighting thealternate embodiment faces as separable entities, according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment highlighting the alternateembodiment's face constitution, according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment highlighting thealternate embodiment's unique design of the alternate embodiment's facecorner, according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternateembodiment fully closed, according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternateembodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's face flexibility.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternateembodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's face flexibility.

FIG. 17 is a top view of alternate embodiment highlighting a parallelconfiguration of the faces as a single entity, according to the presentinvention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of thesespecific details are possible while still achieving the results of thepresent invention. Well-known processing steps are generally notdescribed in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating thedescription of the present invention.

In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presentedfor an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions shouldnot be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense ofproportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between variouselements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, andsometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often bothreference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be usedto identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merelyas an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted aslimiting.

Referring to FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a perspective view of anembodiment of an upright, collapsible, holding container 10 of thepresent invention partially zipped for interior access. The collapsiblecontainer 10 is comprised of a flexible surface 12, ribbed with rigidlinear extensions 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The flexible surface 12is constructed of a flexible material 16 while the rigid linearextensions 14 are constructed of a stiffer material of a less flexiblenature. This can be achieved by using a stiffer material or using thesame flexible material but of a greater thickness. Due to these rigidlinear extensions or ribbing 14, the flexibility of the ribbed surface12 is constrained to fold about the rigid extensions as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , the collapsible, upright container 10 isshown as formed with two interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and20 each formed with a flexible surface 12 ribbed with spaced, rigidlinear extensions 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The flexible surface 12is constructed of a flexible material 16 while the rigid linearextensions 14 are constructed of a different, stiffer material of a lessflexible nature than the flexible material 16 or using the same flexiblematerial but of a greater thickness.

The two interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 are formed ofthree interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 22, 24, 26 and 28, 30 and32, respectively. Each of the two interconnected, rectangular-likebodies 18 and 20 are each formed from the flexible material 16 with therigid linear extensions 14 extending parallel to the opposite ends 18 aand 18 b of body 18 and opposite ends 20 a and 20 b of therectangular-like body 20. This configuration of the flexible material 16with the rigid linear extensions 14 allows the body 18 and the body 20to roll up so that the opposite ends 18 a and 18 b of body 18 and theopposite ends 20 a and 20 b of body 20 are parallel to each other.

The interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 are interconnectedat a boundary 34 formed where the edge surface of the end 20 a of thebody 20 abuts the elongated edge 18 c between the opposite ends 18 a and18 b of body 18. The rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 can beinterconnected along the boundary 34 by fastener means such as a plasticzipper, a metal zipper or a resealable lock seal zipper.

Rectangular-like body 22 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 24by a surface 38 that marks a boundary between body 22 and body 24.Rectangular-like body 24 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 26by a surface 40 that marks a boundary between body 24 and body 26.Rectangular-like body 28 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 30by a surface 42 that marks a boundary between body 28 and body 30.Rectangular-like body 30 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 32by a surface 44 that marks a boundary between body 30 and body 32.

The rectangular bodies 22 are flexible except where the ribbing isprovided. The spacing between the ribbing controls the tightness of therectangular bodies when they are rolled up. Also the thickness ormaterial of the ribbing controls the flexibility of the rectangularbodies.

The upright, collapsible, holding container 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and3 , is also comprised of a zipper or fastener 46 and a set of flexiblezipper strips 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58. 60 (48-60), with interlockingprojections that are closed or opened by pulling the zipper 62 to openor draw the zipper strips together, as shown in FIG. 3 . Referring againto FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a rectangular section 18 of the uprightcontainer 10 incorporating rectangular-like bodies 22, 24 and 26 and aninterconnected, rectangular section 20 of the upright container 10incorporating rectangular-like bodies 28, 30 and 32. The zipper strips(48-60) are secured around the periphery of the rectangular-like bodies18 and 20 except for the boundary 34 where the rectangular-like body 18is interconnected with rectangular-like body 20 by a surface 34 thatmarks the boundary between body 18 and body 20. In other words, thezipper strips 48-60 are disposed around the entire periphery of the sixinterconnected rectangular-like bodies except for the interconnectingboundary 34.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , individual rectangular-like bodies 70 and72 are interconnected at a boundary 74 formed where the edge surface 72a of the end of the body 72 abuts the elongated edge 70 a of body 70.The rectangular-like bodies 70 and 72 can be interconnected along theboundary 74 by fastener means such as a plastic zipper, a metal zipperor a resealable lock seal zipper.

The left face 72 and the right face 70 of the rectangular-like bodiesare shown separately in FIG. 4 . The dimensions of the left face 72 andthe right face 70 rectangular-like bodies are expressed as mathematicalexpressions in terms of the length L, width W, height H, and roundedcorner radius R, as shown in FIG. 4 . In turn, these dimensions of theleft face 72 and the right face 70 forming the rectangular-like bodiesdetermine the resulting overall dimensions of the present embodiment'scuboidal form when fully zipped together as shown in FIG. 6 . Each facemay be unique and differentiable from the other by theirrectangular-like body dimensions given the overall dimensions of theembodiment in cuboidal form when fully zipped.

The relative orientation between a joined right face 70 and left face 72determines the embodiment's configuration. FIGS. 6A and 6B shows the twounique perpendicular configurations. The present embodiment is one ofthe unique perpendicular configurations as in FIG. 6B.

In FIG. 6C, another embodiment is shown where the two rectangularconfigurations are parallel to each other.

In FIG. 7 , the present embodiment is shown in a completely unzippedstate prior to folding the left face rectangular-like body 64 and theright face rectangular-like body 62 into a cuboidal form 72. The presentembodiment's general cuboidal form 72 along with the entire zipping path74 which may be followed by the zipper 76 about the cuboidal form isalso shown in FIG. 7 . In FIG. 7 , the continuous edge 78 of the presentembodiment's cuboidal form 72 as shown, defines the zipper path 80wherein the zipper 76 may begin on one end of the embodiment's joiningedges and end on the other end of the embodiment's joining edges.

It is also within the terms of the present invention to separate theentire zipper path 80 into two segments 82 and 84 wherein each segmenthas a separate zipper 86 and 88 as shown in FIG. 8 .

In FIG. 9 , the present embodiment is shown in a fully zipped stateestablished by the zipper 86 having zipped along the entire zipper path(both segments 86 and 88). The segments 86 and 88 are joined together bythe boundary 90.

Alternate embodiments are effectively comprised of two rectangular-likebodies 92 and 94 that are either a single entity or separable from oneanother.

In FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment is shown wherein the tworectangular-like bodies 92 and 94 faces are a single entity.

In FIG. 11 , an alternate embodiment is shown wherein the tworectangular-like bodies 92 and 94 are separable from one another.

For optimal functioning, each face is flexible along its longerextension while considerably less flexible along its shorter extensionas shown in FIG. 12 . It is left obvious that alternate embodimentdesigns may enable this unique flexibility using a variety of methods.

In FIG. 12 , the alternate embodiment shows a rectangular-like body 100featuring a ribbing method wherein the flexible portions 102 are narrowand form the shorter extensions. The less flexible portions 104 areillustrated as being thicker than the flexible portions 102 and form thelonger extensions.

FIG. 13 further illustrates where the shorter extension is more flexiblethan the longer extension.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , alternate embodiments feature a variety ofcorner designs including a fully joined state in FIG. 15 .

A variety of design methods enabling the faces of an alternateembodiment to join to establish a cuboidal form may be used includingzippers as commonly used with fabrics, and zip sealing as used withconventional plastic storage bags.

Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments havebeen shown and described with various details. What has been describedin this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is donefor illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit orsuggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodimentor specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure isnot limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations.Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mindof those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are infact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope ofthis disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretationand construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understoodby those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosurepresent at the time of filing.

1. A collapsible, holding container partially zipped for interioraccess, comprising: the holding container having at least two faces eachformed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material andribbed with rigid linear extensions; the rigid linear extensions beingconstructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material; and thecollapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along aboundary between the at least two faces by a fastener.
 2. Thecollapsible, holding container of claim 1 wherein the collapsible,holding container is partially interconnected by a zipper for interioraccess to the holding container.
 3. The collapsible, holding containerof claim 1 wherein the perimeter lengths of each face of the at leasttwo faces are equal.
 4. The collapsible, holding container of claim 3wherein each of the at least two faces have seal paths about theirperimeter lengths.
 5. The collapsible, holding container of claim 3wherein each of the at least two faces includes three sections.
 6. Theholding container of claim 4 wherein each of the at least two faces arejoined to comprise single entity.
 7. The collapsible, holding containerof claim 4 wherein each of the at least two faces comprise separableentities.
 8. The collapsible, holding container of claim 4 wherein eachof the at least two faces have a rectangular like form.
 9. Thecollapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein each of the at leasttwo faces has a rectangular-like form and is more flexible along oneextension of its rectangular-like form than along a second extension ofits rectangular-like form.
 10. The collapsible, holding container ofclaim 8 wherein each of the at least two faces are more flexible alongone extension of its rectangular-like form than along the otherextension of its rectangular-like form.
 11. The collapsible, holdingcontainer of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least twofaces create a perpendicular configuration.
 12. The collapsible, holdingcontainer of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least twofaces create a parallel configuration.
 13. The collapsible, holdingcontainer of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least twofaces create a parallel configuration.
 14. The collapsible, holdingcontainer of claim 8 wherein the rigid linear extensions are ribbingthat controls the flexibility of the rectangular bodies.
 15. Thecollapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein the thickness of therigid linear extensions controls the flexibility of the rectangularbodies.
 16. A collapsible, holding container partially interconnectedfor interior access, comprising: the holding container having at leasttwo faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexiblematerial and ribbed with rigid linear extensions; the rigid linearextensions being constructed of a thicker material than the flexiblematerial; the collapsible, holding container being partiallyinterconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by afastener; and the collapsible, holding container is partiallyinterconnected by a zipper for interior access to the holding container.17. The holding container of claim 16 wherein each of the at least twofaces are joined to comprise single entity.
 18. The collapsible, holdingcontainer of claim 16 wherein each of the at least two faces compriseseparable entities.
 19. The collapsible, holding container of claim 16wherein each of the at least two faces have a rectangular like form. 20.The collapsible, holding container of claim 19 wherein each of the atleast two faces has a rectangular-like form and is more flexible alongone extension of its rectangular-like form than along a second extensionof its rectangular-like form.